All About the Festival

Our Story | Location | Accommodation

Sustainability | Festival Support

Telling our story…

The Original Shake & Stir festival has been revving up fans of vintage and retro music, vehicles, dancing, fashion and lifestyle living for over seven years. From its beginning at the bandstand on Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne, it has grown year-on-year to become one of the biggest vintage music festivals in the UK!

Part of our mission is to support and rejuvenate high streets and the local economy. As such, Shake & Stir is a free to enter, community focused festival - which in 2018 brought 34,000+ people to the streets of Southbourne.

From rock’n’rollers looking for the best in 1920’s-1970’s music, to jive bunnies, fashionistas and grease monkeys - the Shake & Stir festival appeals to a variety of vintage life-stylers, along with people of all ages from across the country… all looking to engage with a diverse collection of traders, sponsors, entertainment, and so much more.

In 2016 the festival won Bronze in the Dorset Tourism Awards, progressing to Silver in 2017. In 2018 we were finalists for the Great Day Out Awards as part of the Bournemouth and Poole (BAPTAS) Tourism Awards. We are now recognised as the largest local community event by Bournemouth Tourism.

The festival is owned and managed by family-run business, Stir! Events - including Managing Director Mandy, and Marketing Director Matthew. We’re also fortunate to work with a collection of fabulous partners that enable us to create this fantastic vintage event. In 2019 for example, our motorcycle ride is also a fundraiser for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride - raising funds for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs.

Southbourne

Getting Here - Directions

By Car:

Follow the signs for Bournemouth and then Southbourne. Please note that road closures will be in place during the event. If following a SatNav enter the postcode BH6 3RN.

Parking is available in Woodside road or on-street parking, either on the cliff top or in the surrounding roads. If you’re arriving in a vintage car or on a classic motorcycle and you would like to be displayed, please contact us in advance where possible.

By Bus:

Southbourne is well served by the following buses: S12, 85, 86, 755, N2, P2, P3, M2. Check with the bus operator for specific travel times.

By Train:

Pokesdown station is a 5 minute walk from the Shake & Stir festival and is served by Southwest Trains. Direct trains connect you to London Waterloo or Weymouth. Change at Bournemouth, Southampton or Basingstoke for trains to further destinations.

Accommodation

There is a variety of accommodation available in Southbourne and the surrounding areas. In 2019 we are partnering with the family owned Marsham Court Hotel. Situated on Bournemouth’s East Cliff the hotel is just a short drive or bus ride away from the heart of the festival. Expect a warm welcome, a wide range of comfortable bedrooms, and stunning views across the bay.

Alternatively, the links below provide more details on accommodation providers in Southbourne and Bournemouth, along with information from Bournemouth Tourism. Please note there are no campsite facilities within the festival area. The closest camping locations are also listed below.

Our Mission for 2019 is to embed our Green and Clean values into the Festival. We will continue to encourage our team, visitors and traders to be as compliant and caring as they can be in the areas of;

- Encouraging the use of public transport, noting that we have a train station very near to the event location and regular buses running from the town centre.- Encouraging and supporting the use of bicycles.- Encouraging alternative travel such as car sharing.- Striving to identify suitable parking facilities, such as a park and ride.- Promoting any hotel, bed and breakfast or accommodation provider that offers a shuttle bus service to and from the event.

Recycling

ReduceWe will encourage people to bring equipment and supplies in carriers that do not contribute to the waste streams, whenever possible.

ReuseWe will encourage people to purchase produce packaging which is reusable.

RecycleWe will segregate all waste as far as reasonably practical that can be /shall be recycled. To this we will be working with the Dorset Devils this year to help facilitate this aspect.

In addition - Flora, Fauna and habitation:

All our facilities and siting of trade stand and event activities will be in a position to cause the minimum of disruption to mother nature.

Noise Control

Sound is legislated that there are two key action levels. The first action level is where noise becomes a nuisance and distract-ant. To manage the noise levels, we have:

- Qualified and competent sound engineers- A sound relay system carrying the sound throughout the event spaces.- The sound is made directional pointing south and north to minimise the impact on our residential communities to the east and west.- We confine the sound of the drums by placing a Perspex shield around them.

The second action level is where sound has the potential to cause a noise induced hearing loss. Hearing protection is worn by personnel working in close confines to the music to ensure they are protected.

Our HSE Consultant will always be on hand to ensure that safety at the event is walked not just talked!